What Software should I use

I notice that there are no recent postings for recommended software to use when writing a novel. Since I am new it would be great to start out with some highly rated program. Would there be any suggestions for a top notch product to use.

I don't think it matters what software you use.  Most of it just gets in the way.  The great majority of pro novelists simply use their favorite word processor, which is most often MS Word, or OpenOffice Writer.

A fair number, such as Niel Gaiman, use pen and paper. 

I think it's always good to remember that software hasn't even been around for many years, and hundreds of thousands of wonderful novels were written just fine with typewriters, pens, pencils, and even quills.

Pick a word processor you like, and use it.  It's your wetware that matters, not your software.

I love Microsoft word as it spell checks and gramer checks while you wirte.  It also counts your words for you as you go.  Having these tools working for you in the back ground allows you to get one with it.  Bill Gates got me throgh college!

Mark Brotherton

It doesn't matter what you use to write. It only matters that you write. You can spend hundreds of dollars on fancy writing software but if you don't actually write anything then it is a complete waste. There is no program out there that will write a novel for you. Not very well anyway.

In fact, I have the same question or a more general one. I have visited some sites for screenwriters and, apparently, they use a lot some softwares. They have a "produce" approach.You can visit the site

http://www.writersstore.com

In the another link (below), I found a comparative of some softwares for writers

Normal 0 http://creative-writing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

I'm planning to invest in some of them but I would like to ear any comment or experience you could have. I would suggest staff of The Writer to share with us their ideas too.

I agree that no software can write my novel, but we can not deny the new tools that exists in all areas.

Regards and thank you in advance

Rafael

Screenwriters primarily use Final Draft, that's the industry standard. It formats their scripts as required.

With regards to creative writing software. What exactly do you want it to do? I'd recommend trying the free versions and the ones with trial periods before you spend any money.

Ywriter (free) get's recommended a lot: http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html

Storybook (free): http://storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/

Storybox (free to try but the trial period seems to go on forever, you get a nag screen but that's about it, otherwise $35): http://www.storyboxsoftware.com/

Liquid Story Binder (30 day trial period non-consecutive days) $45 (but they have lots of half price offers): http://www.blackobelisksoftware.com/ this one has a steep learning curve. Make sure you check out the video tutorials.

Writing Outliner (trial period and $49) this works inside of MS Word: http://writingoutliner.com/ I have a friend who raves about it. Didn't think much to it myself.

Hope that helps.

I have been writing short stories and I have a novel in preparation. What do I want? Be more productive. I'm Mechanical Engineer and , as an example, in the company where I work things have change a lot during the last 20 years. The main change has been in the use of specialized software. CAD drawing, 3D modeling, calculations, etc are not more done manually or old fashioned. That's why I wonder if authors really productive use that kind of tools. 

If during the preparation of my novel I have to develope the characters' biography, the plot, the scenes drafts, I think could be a good idea to have them organized in a friendly manner, into a software suite prepared exclusively for such purpose.

I appreciate your comments and I will try some free and demos as you suggest. 

I would suggest that question to the interviews to authors: Do you use an specialized software (no brands, please, jeje)? Most authors use blogs, twitter, laptops, internet and in the major activity of their profession continue with the basic tools?

Thank you again.

Rafael

If during the preparation of my novel I have to develope the characters' biography, the plot, the scenes drafts, I think could be a good idea to have them organized in a friendly manner, into a software suite prepared exclusively for such purpose.

I know a lot of writers set up an excel spreadsheet for that purpose, that way it is tailored to their needs rather than bending themselves to fit someone else's template as would be the case with most writing programs. There are plenty of places that you can find questions for character bio's and descriptions of plotting methods. Here's an example of one author's spreadsheet:

http://www.ericaridley.com/articles/download.php

More info on spreadsheet plotting:

http://www.darcypattison.com/revision/spreadsheet-plotting/

http://worddreams.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/plotting-a-story-with-a-spreadsheet/

http://www.scribd.com/doc/31095123/Revised-Plotting-Spreadsheet

Here's an example of someone using Excel to actually write a story: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/31/short-story-in-sprea.html

I've personally got a world building worksheet and a character building worksheet. Character building questions were found here: http://www.eclectics.com/articles/character.html and here: http://www.sfwa.org/2009/08/fantasy-worldbuilding-questions/

I have no idea what "produce" approach means.  Most screenwriters use Final Draft, simply because of formatting and outlining.  Doing so isn't necessary, it's just most common software used.  I write screenplay using MS Word, and I know two brilliant and highly successful screenwriter who still use typewriters.

Now, MS Word is the best option for writing short stories and novels, if only because this is what agents editors primarily use. 

The only tool that matters is the one between your ears.  Just about everything else is simply transfer ware.  All it really does is transfer money from your pocket to the pocket of whoever owns the software.

The simple truth is almost all such software is sold to new, unpublished writers who somehow think it will help them write a publishable novel, even though they don't know anyone who has used such software to do this.   .What you do need is complete compatibility with agents and editors, not only with file format, which sometimes means .rtf, sometimes means DOC, and sometimes means PDF. and more and more often, means formatted e-mail.  MS office has Word and Outlook that will do all this.

 None of the so-called "writing software" can say this. 

Fiction simply isn't written with software, it's written with wetware.   You need a word processor that's fully compatible with what agents and editors use, simply so you can send files back and forth.  This is all you need. 

Productivity doesn't come from software, either.  Just like a hundred years ago, and a hundred years from no, it comes from BIC.  Butt in chair.  You park your butt in the writing chair every day, same time and same place, and you press keys.  I don't care how productive you think software is making, go back eight years and look at what real productivity is.  Four hour short stories, three day screenplays, and nine day novels were all very common, and this with manual typewriters.

If you want to be really, truly productive, do this.   Stop worrying about which software to use, set a reasonable number of writing hours each and every day, and during those hours shut down the Internet, turn off the TV, turn off your phone, forget about e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter.  Use these hours to write. 

Do not use them for organizing, do not use them for planning, do not use them for anything except writing. As E.L. Doctorow said,   Planning to write is not writing. Outlining, researching, talking to people about what you're doing, none of that is writing. Writing is writing.

When writers are not productive, it is not because of the software they do or do not use.  When writers do not write a publishable novel, it is never because of the software they do or do not use.  Assuming they have any talent at all, writers are unproductive, and unsuccessful, because they do not park their butts in a chair nearly often enough, and use the time there to write. Not to organize, not to plan, not to think about writing, not to talk about writing, but to actually write.

James,

I really appreciate your comments. Thank you for your time.

I wanted to say with the "produce" approach the vision of a company. I mean the completely industry point of view.

I read some years ago the letters of William Faulkner. I remember the pressure he had several times from his editor to deliver the next novel. That part was really painful, he was practically forced to produce novels. Apparently, Francis Scott Fitzgerald suffered some similar situations. I imagine  that currently the authors with a contract for a future novel has the same pressure. Or the writer for TV, they have to write several chapter of the series in advance. In all cases, I believe, they work in an orginized manner. Tracking the characters evolution and forecasting comming situations, generating ideas, etc. They have to do it in that way due the pressure of the editors or to comply the contract. 

I was thinking about that situations when I wrote the "produce" approach. Surely, you have noted that I'm not a native English speaker and probably I, mistakenly, tryied to traslate the idea not the words. I'm sorry.

Regarding all the ideas you mentioned about what is really needed to be a writer or a productive writer; you are right. yes, the summary is sit and write, no excuses, just written words; that is the goal. I smiled with the transfer ware, it is funny and wise.

Thank you for remind me the basics.

Rafael

Grady,

Thank you for recommendation. I will check the site and the software benefits.

Good writing.

Rafael

Anikad,

I do not know what else to say to thank your recommendations and time.

Be sure that I will check all links and try to get the maximum experience of them.

Any interesting issue which could arise from them I will inform you.

Best regards

Rafael

I don't know about FD being the industry standard - MMS seems to be up there as well. It does the same things and integrates with other software packages pretty well. I've used both and MMS looked to be the better package. 

"Writing holds many truths - and just as many lies."

-- Jeff M

Try Celtx.com. It's a scriptwriting software but also has a story mapping segment for novels.